On the right, a sample from the Geralton Watershed; on the left, a sample from the mine tailing pond that was right by the road and dangerously close to the lake where they drew their water. Everybody in town knew they had mercury in their water, and spoke of constant illness.

The good news is that mining uses the least water of all industries because it recycles a lot, but the bad news is that what is left over is a thick toxic sludge of finely crushed metals that can contain high amounts of arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, copper or zinc. This is put in holding ponds, often close to waterways, because it was the easiest place to process the goods. Over the years, the heavy metals leach into the ground and find their way into the water systems. Rain and erosion contribute to spills as well.